Executive Summary

The History of Kingsford Heights

Kingsford Heights Elementary School is one of eight elementary schools in LPCSC.  Our school is located in the Southernmost part of the district and is the smallest school, housing about 144 students in grades PK-4.  KHES also has a thriving community based program of 24 students in grades K-4. The area that is serviced by KHES is made up of a small town, Kingsford Heights, and the surrounding rural areas.  The area, although tight-knit, is both economically and culturally disadvantaged with a 65% free and reduced rate. Our school is the hub of the community for families along with a branch of the county library next door, an active community center, beautiful softball fields, a volunteer fire station, town marshal and an active post of the American Legion.  We are fortunate to have had a Dollar General store recently built in the town limits of KH to provide easy access to groceries and necessities. The demographic makeup of our student body is widely reflective of our town with about 72% white, 23% Hispanic, 7% Multi-Racial, 4% Black and 1% Pacific Islander.  Most often, families have resided in KH for more than one generation and they are deep-rooted in their community.  

The town of Kingsford Heights existed as a very rural community until World War II when the US government designated the area for military munitions manufacturing for several reasons.  KH was close to extensive railways, claimed many days of cloud cover for camouflage, and could supply an able bodied workforce. From that point, the Department of Defense built up a small town to house the nearby manufacturing facilities. Small box-like homes were built by the D.o.D. for working families along with a school, post office, churches, and a few small businesses.  Kingsford Heights also became known as “Victory City” once the war was won.  Eventually the manufacturing ended with the war, and the town was deserted by many who needed to find work. In the mid 1050's, the first school burned down and in 1959, a new school was built to house only elementary students in grades 1-6.  Union Township Elementary later became Kingsford Heights Elementary School as well as a part of the LaPorte Community School Corporation. Later in 1982, KHES went through a renovation and eventually with changes in grade configuration has recently become a PK-4 school building.  KHES remains the smallest school in the district, but boasts several important characteristics including our STEM reputation. Family atmosphere, school pride and perseverance are our best qualities.  

STEM and Student Focus at KHES

STEM has been a school priority for many years. We have built a strong platform of STEM based learning through several initiatives including a district supported PLTW Launch program K-8, IDOE STEM grant awards, community financial support, district funding, various technology grant awards, and the dedication of our staff to ensure a STEM instructional approach is implemented. Professional development and training in STEM areas such as coding, engineering design process, PBL, scientific questioning, problem solving, and computer technology has fostered confidence and creativity in our staff members to take on STEM implementation and IDOE STEM certification. KHES has been a PLTW Distinguished School for 5 years now and is the only elementary school in the district to ever earn a trip to the VEX Robotics state competition in Indianapolis.  We continue to push ourselves for the benefit of our students to prepare them for an ever-changing world where innovation and critical thinking skills are essential. 

Our school takes great pride in the thriving community partnerships we have built with the local KH American Legion Post, the LaPorte County Library and the Boys and Girls Club of LaPorte County which operates a daily after school club at KHES serving 60 or more students every day after school. Our students and staff enjoy the full support of our KH PTA which has existed for over 50 years. At KHES, our entire staff knows every student’s name and their interests as they thrive in our close-knit environment. There is definitely a family-like atmosphere of support, acceptance, and expectations of respect, achievement and equity. 

Community Support